The 17th century mathmetician and philosopher said to his friends, "If I believe in God and life after death and you do not, and if there is a God, we both lose when we die. However, if there is a God, you still lose and I gain everything." -Blaise Pascal.
I'm curious about everyone's opinion on this. Politeness is appreciated. Thank you.
2006-10-18 08:57:56 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
that's neat that you wrote this, a man who use to go to our church ( he died about a year ago) gave a card w/ that quote on it to my husband. I sent the card to a friend
of mine who was questioning God & Jesus, I also sent her other info. (www.wayofthemaster.com) & she now
is a faithful Christian, either you have faith or you don't.
I love the quote though ! Take Care
2006-10-18 09:09:54 · answer #1 · answered by start 6-22-06 summer time Mom 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think the correct quote is:
"If I believe in God and life after death and you do not, and if there is no God, we both lose when we die. However, if there is a God, you still lose and I gain everything." -Blaise Pascal
The concept is that if I believe in God and an after life and there is no God than I end up dead and nothing more. But if I am correct than I will enjoy the after life.
If you do not believe and God is real than you will not get to enjoy the after life.
I believe in God, but I believe that God makes exceptions for those who are good, but do not believe. Jesus said that those who do not know God but live their lives righteously will be judged by their deeds.
Take care and God Bless You,
Troy
2006-10-18 09:06:09 · answer #2 · answered by tiuliucci 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It sounds like an interesting quote. But I would say that if his friends did believe in God, when they died, Blaise Pascal really wouldn't be gaining everything simply by his friends being with him in heaven. The most important part of going to heaven is to be with God. Friends are just a nice bonus.
2006-10-18 09:01:32 · answer #3 · answered by Iamnotarobot (former believer) 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Pascal's wager was actually created for those who were apathetic on the subject, not for atheists or agnostics.
It was his way of trying to convince them that the topic of belief in god was worth thinking about. He didn't come up with it as a way of trying to convert atheists or get agnostics to swing the other way.
That's my loose paraphrase of a discussion I located on the topic, after I was finally driven to look it up, after seeing this question debated a gumabillazilliion times out here.
My personal feeling is that it appeals to the fearful side of a person. And I believe that FEAR is one of the main reasons god was invented. Since I consider it nothing more than yet another scare tactic, I ignore it.
On the face of it, it makes a sort of sense. But once you take it apart and throw some logic at it, it's nonsense. As someone above me pointed out, if god exists (as depicted) he'd hardly be fooled by lip service. For one thing. For another, you cannot force yourself to believe.
2006-10-18 09:22:06 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
To believe in God is to sacrifice reality for whim, this causes a loss of self esteem self efficacy and the ability to think rationally and thus survive.
To believe in God is to choose death over life.
The trade is certainly not worth it if you treasure life.
2006-10-18 09:01:57 · answer #5 · answered by Real Friend 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Pascals Wager has been discussed to a great deal on this forum. Try doing a search on Pascals Wager on this site.
If there is a Biblical god I view him as an unapathetic tyrant.
2006-10-18 09:03:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
This presupposes, among other things, that "God" would be satisfied with lip service given out of fear that there might be a divine someone to give lip service to.
How people think this is a compliment to their "God" I'll never understand.
2006-10-18 09:09:13 · answer #7 · answered by Sweetchild Danielle 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
dunno, if i spend my life doing things that i enjoy, and you spend your life huddled in a church on your knees praying, and never doing anything half exciting for fear of god, and we die and find out there is no god. then you've wasted your life on nothing, and ive at least done something with mine. however if it is visa versa, and the bible is right i wouldnt want to be under that god anyway (as it claims that god is murderous, and killed thousands and thousands of people, and if thats how it shows his "love" then i dont really wanna be there). however if god is beyond our comprehension and basis people on their heart and morality, then i end up gaining more, as i gain life with god AND ive not wasted my life on pointless activities to get to the same place.
(btw this is meant to be respectful so dont take it personally - the "you" just mean people who believe)
2006-10-18 09:01:58 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like a pretty self explanitory quote,
I'm going to use it.
I believe that God is laughing at us right now,
thinking "you all are my children, why do you fight? over a name? over a face? You call me something different, yet I am the same."
I like the quote, and that is what it means to me. Thank you for sharing
2006-10-18 09:01:35 · answer #9 · answered by danksprite420 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think god wouldn't be fooled by someone believing in him to "hedge their bet".
I'm atheist btw.
2006-10-18 09:00:24 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋